4 It is not for kings, H4428 O Lemuel, H3927 it is not for kings H4428 to drink H8354 wine; H3196 nor for H335 H176 princes H7336 strong drink: H7941
Do not drink H8354 wine H3196 nor strong drink, H7941 thou, nor thy sons H1121 with thee, when ye go H935 into the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 lest ye die: H4191 it shall be a statute H2708 for ever H5769 throughout your generations: H1755 And that ye may put difference H914 between holy H6944 and unholy, H2455 and between unclean H2931 and clean; H2889
But they H428 also have erred H7686 through wine, H3196 and through strong drink H7941 are out of the way; H8582 the priest H3548 and the prophet H5030 have erred H7686 through strong drink, H7941 they are swallowed up H1104 of H4480 wine, H3196 they are out of the way H8582 through strong drink; H7941 they err H7686 in vision, H7203 they stumble H6328 in judgment. H6417 For all tables H7979 are full H4390 of vomit H6892 and filthiness, H6675 so that there is no place H4725 clean.
Whoredom H2184 and wine H3196 and new wine H8492 take away H3947 the heart. H3820 My people H5971 ask H7592 counsel at their stocks, H6086 and their staff H4731 declareth H5046 unto them: for the spirit H7307 of whoredoms H2183 hath caused them to err, H8582 and they have gone a whoring H2181 from under their God. H430
And they went out H3318 at noon. H6672 But Benhadad H1130 was drinking H8354 himself drunk H7910 in the pavilions, H5521 he and the kings, H4428 the thirty H7970 and two H8147 kings H4428 that helped H5826 him. And the young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 went out H3318 first; H7223 and Benhadad H1130 sent out, H7971 and they told H5046 him, saying, H559 There are men H582 come out H3318 of Samaria. H8111 And he said, H559 Whether they be come out H3318 for peace, H7965 take H8610 them alive; H2416 or whether they be come out H3318 for war, H4421 take H8610 them alive. H2416 So these young men H5288 of the princes H8269 of the provinces H4082 came out H3318 of the city, H5892 and the army H2428 which followed H310 them. And they slew H5221 every one H376 his man: H376 and the Syrians H758 fled; H5127 and Israel H3478 pursued H7291 them: and Benhadad H1130 the king H4428 of Syria H758 escaped H4422 on an horse H5483 with the horsemen. H6571
Belshazzar, H1113 whiles he tasted H2942 the wine, H2562 commanded H560 to bring H858 the golden H1722 and silver H3702 vessels H3984 which his father H2 Nebuchadnezzar H5020 had taken H5312 out of H4481 the temple H1965 which was in Jerusalem; H3390 that the king, H4430 and his princes, H7261 his wives, H7695 and his concubines, H3904 might drink H8355 therein. Then H116 they brought H858 the golden H1722 vessels H3984 that were taken H5312 out of H4481 the temple H1965 of the house H1005 of God H426 which was at Jerusalem; H3390 and the king, H4430 and his princes, H7261 his wives, H7695 and his concubines, H3904 drank H8355 in them. They drank H8355 wine, H2562 and praised H7624 the gods H426 of gold, H1722 and of silver, H3702 of brass, H5174 of iron, H6523 of wood, H636 and of stone. H69
They make the king H4428 glad H8055 with their wickedness, H7451 and the princes H8269 with their lies. H3585 They are all adulterers, H5003 as an oven H8574 heated H1197 by the baker, H644 who ceaseth H7673 from raising H5782 after he hath kneaded H3888 the dough, H1217 until it be leavened. H2556 In the day H3117 of our king H4428 the princes H8269 have made him sick H2470 with bottles H2534 of wine; H3196 he stretched out H4900 his hand H3027 with scorners. H3945
And G2532 when a convenient G2121 day G2250 was come, G1096 that G3753 Herod G2264 on his G846 birthday G1077 made G4160 a supper G1173 to his G846 lords, G3175 G2532 high captains, G5506 and G2532 chief G4413 estates of Galilee; G1056 And G2532 when the daughter G2364 of the said G846 Herodias G2266 came in, G1525 and G2532 danced, G3738 and G2532 pleased G700 Herod G2264 and G2532 them that sat with him, G4873 the king G935 said G2036 unto the damsel, G2877 Ask G154 of me G3165 whatsoever G3739 G1437 thou wilt, G2309 and G2532 I will give G1325 it thee. G4671 And G2532 he sware G3660 unto her, G846 Whatsoever G3754 G3739 G1437 thou shalt ask G154 of me, G3165 I will give G1325 it thee, G4671 unto G2193 the half G2255 of my G3450 kingdom. G932 And G1161 she went forth, G1831 and said G2036 unto her G846 mother, G3384 What G5101 shall I ask? G154 And G1161 she said, G2036 The head G2776 of John G2491 the Baptist. G910 And G2532 she came in G1525 straightway G2112 with G3326 haste G4710 unto G4314 the king, G935 and asked, G154 saying, G3004 I will G2309 that G2443 thou give G1325 me G3427 by and by G1824 in G1909 a charger G4094 the head G2776 of John G2491 the Baptist. G910 And G2532 the king G935 was G1096 exceeding sorry; G4036 yet for G1223 his oath's sake, G3727 and G2532 for their sakes which G3588 sat with him, G4873 he would G2309 not G3756 reject G114 her. G846 And G2532 immediately G2112 the king G935 sent G649 an executioner, G4688 and commanded G2004 his G846 head G2776 to be brought: G5342 and G1161 he went G565 and beheaded G607 him G846 in G1722 the prison, G5438 And G2532 brought G5342 his G846 head G2776 in G1909 a charger, G4094 and G2532 gave G1325 it G846 to the damsel: G2877 and G2532 the damsel G2877 gave G1325 it G846 to her G846 mother. G3384
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 31
Commentary on Proverbs 31 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 31
Pr 31:1-31.
1. On the title of this, the sixth part of the book, see Introduction.
prophecy—(See on Pr 30:1).
2. What, my son?—that is, What shall I say? Repetitions denote earnestness.
son of my womb—as our phrase, "my own son," a term of special affection.
son of my vows—as one dedicated to God; so the word "Lemuel" may mean.
3-9. Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence.
strength—mental and bodily resources for health and comfort.
thy ways—or course of life.
to that … kings—literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare Pr 5:9; 7:22, 27; Ho 4:11).
4, 5. Stimulants enfeeble reason, pervert the heart, and do not suit rulers, who need clear and steady minds, and well-governed affections (compare Pr 20:1; 22:29).
pervert … afflicted—They give unrighteous decisions against the poor.
6, 7. The proper use of such drinks is to restore tone to feeble bodies and depressed minds (compare Ps 104:15).
8, 9. Open … cause—Plead for those who cannot plead for themselves, as the orphan, stranger, &c. (compare Ps 72:12; Isa 1:17).
appointed to destruction—who are otherwise ruined by their oppressors (compare Pr 29:14, 16).
10-31. This exquisite picture of a truly lovely wife is conceived and drawn in accordance with the customs of Eastern nations, but its moral teachings suit all climes. In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books).
Who … woman—The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare Pr 18:22; 19:14).
virtuous—literally, "of strength," that is, moral courage (compare Pr 12:4; Ru 3:11).
her price, &c.—(compare Pr 3:15).
11. heart … trust in her—He relies on her prudence and skill.
no need of spoil—does not lack profit or gain, especially, that obtained by the risk of war.
12. do … good—contribute good to him.
13, 14. Ancient women of rank thus wrought with their hands; and such, indeed, were the customs of Western women a few centuries since. In the East also, the fabrics were articles of merchandise.
15. She diligently attends to expending as well as gathering wealth;
16. and hence has means to purchase property.
17, 18. To energy she adds a watchfulness in bargains, and a protracted and painful industry. The last clause may figuratively denote that her prosperity (compare Pr 24:20) is not short lived.
19. No work, however mean, if honest, is disdained.
20. Industry enables her to be charitable.
21. scarlet—or, "purple," by reason of the dyes used, the best fabrics; as a matter of taste also; the color suits cold.
22. coverings of tapestry—or, "coverlets," that is, for beds.
silk—or, "linen" (compare Ex 26:1; 27:9)
and purple—that is, the most costly goods.
23. in the gates—(compare Pr 22:22). His domestic comfort promotes his advancement in public dignity.
24. fine linen—or, "linen shirts," or the material for them.
girdles—were often costly and highly valued (2Sa 18:11).
delivereth—or, "giveth as a present" or "to sell."
25. Strength and honour—Strong and beautiful is her clothing; or, figuratively, for moral character, vigorous and honorable.
shall rejoice … come—in confidence of certain maintenance.
26. Her conversation is wise and gentle.
27. (Compare 1Ti 5:14; Tit 2:5). She adds to her example a wise management of those under her control.
28. She is honored by those who best know her.
29. The words are those of her husband, praising her.
virtuously—(Compare Pr 31:10).
30. Favour—or, "Grace" of personal manner.
beauty—of face, or form (compare Pr 11:22). True piety alone commands permanent respect and affection (1Pe 3:3).
31. The result of her labor is her best eulogy. Nothing can add to the simple beauty of this admirable portrait. On the measure of its realization in the daughters of our own day rest untold results, in the domestic, and, therefore, the civil and religious, welfare of the people.